House Details

House History

FAIRCHILD, David S. (1847-1930) attended Michigan University and then earned his M.D. degree from Albany Medical College (Union University) in 1868. He practiced medicine in Ames as early as 1872 and although he did not join the Iowa State staff as professor of anatomy and comparative physiology until 1879, he was thought of as the college physician for many years. He established the first college hospital at Iowa State on the second floor of Old Music Hall which was located on the present site of the Memorial Union. This is recognized as the first hospital established in any college. He also was a lecturer in the Veterinary School. He was editor of the Journal of the Medical Society, president of the Iowa Medical Society, served on the Ames School Board for nine years (president six years), served on the medical staff of Drake University (dean of the Medical School, 1903-1909). He published many articles in medical journals and was author of the book Pioneer Practice. He was considered one of the finist diagnosticians and surgeons in Iowa. He continued as a physician even after he lost his right hand.